What Would Belichick Do: A Bears Draft Guide

Phil Emery is on record saying that he would like to adopt the Patriots’ way in regards to building a team. As the foremost Bill Belichick expert in Chicago, I will break down how the master would handle the Bears draft board in 2012.

The Bears biggest positional needs are WR, OL, TE, DE, and DBs. The reason Belichick always seems to trade back or trade into next season is because he is looking for “value picks”. If he is sitting at 19 and he feels he could pick up a similar player to the one he would pick at 19 then he will move back. If not, he will stay put and make his pick (see: Nate Solder, 2011 draft).

Scenario 1: Michael Floyd available at 19

If Floyd somehow falls down to the Bears at this spot, they should sprint up to the podium. Belichick would recognize that there is a substantial drop off from Floyd to the next class of WRs. Belichick would take Floyd because he has tremendous value at 19 and it addresses a positional need.

Scenario 2: Stephon Gilmore available at 19

The Bears need to get younger and more athletic on defense. While Gilmore isn’t a perfect Cover-2 corner, he is a big, fast, and physical playermaker who is great in run support. The NFL becomes more of a passing league every day and when you’re competing against Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers twice a year you need big time players in your secondary. Belichick would take Gilmore.

Scenario 3: Both Floyd and Gilmore are gone

This is when Belichick would start working the phones to try and move back either later in 1st round or into the 2nd round while picking up additional picks. The reason being that there isn’t tremendous value on the board at this spot. The draft is particularly deep in DL this year, and there isn’t a DB, WR, or OL worthy of taking at 19. Ideal trade: Move 19 to Jacksonville for 38 and 101 in the 2012 draft, and a 3rd round pick in next year’s draft.

Scenario 1 Mock Draft

19. Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

50. Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

79. Ron Brooks, CB LSU

111. Phillip Blake, C Baylor

150. Darius Flemming, DE Notre Dame

Scenario 2 Mock Draft

19. Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina

50. Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

79. Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson

111. George Iloka, S Boise State

150. Marvin McNutt, WR Iowa

Scenario 3 Mock Draft

38. Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama

50. Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

79. Orsen Charles, TE Georgia

101. Mike Martin, DT Michigan

111. George Iloka, S Boise State

150. Tommy Streeter, WR Miami(FLA)

Obviously Belichick would slide up and down in every round, but the point is that he never falls in love with one player. He groups them in clusters according to value. Then if the board looks like he can get one of his guys later, he will trade back. Or if it looks as though a position he covets is flying off the board, he will move up(i.e. Gronkowski 2010 draft).